Method for competitive team activities using non-motorized vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method of competing for two or more teams is provided wherein each team simultaneously powers and maneuvers a multi-person non-motorized vehicle while propelling projectiles at targets attached to the vehicle of a different team.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of competitive or team building activities, more specifically, to a method of engaging in such activities using non-motorized vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Team activities are useful in many settings involving a group of people. For example, a company meeting may use competitive activities as team building exercises or to “break the ice” between personnel from different levels in the hierarchy or from different locations or divisions. Likewise, parties or other gatherings may want competitive activities as a pastime or game. Although such activities are well-known and numerous, many require physical skills or prior knowledge to play well. This puts many participants at a serious disadvantage, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the activity. The present invention is a method that allows players of different skill levels to participate on a more equal basis.

SUMMARY

In one preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of competing, the method comprising: mounting a first non-motorized vehicle with a first team of players, wherein the first vehicle comprises a first target; mounting a second non-motorized vehicle with a second team of players, wherein the second vehicle comprises a second target; propelling and maneuvering the first vehicle by means of physical actions of the first team and simultaneously propelling and maneuvering the second vehicle by means of physical actions of the second team; propelling projectiles by the first team towards the second target; propelling projectiles by the second team towards the first target; and determining the number of projectiles that hit each target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred non-motorized vehicle that has been adapted to comprise a target net.

DESCRIPTION

The competitive method pits two or more teams against each other. The teams are selected by any appropriate method. For example, the teams could be from semi-permanent league rosters, could be selected to balance out skill levels, could be selected to represent different units of a business, could be selected to intermix personnel from different units of a business or could be picked on an ad hoc basis.

Each team mounts a separate non-motorized vehicle equipped with a target, as described below. The teams simultaneously propel and maneuver their respective vehicles. Each team is provided with a supply of projectiles. While maneuvering their vehicles, the teams try to hit the other target, or cause their projectiles to become lodged in or within the target, on the other team's vehicle. Generally, each team can freely choose how to maneuver their vehicle and when to use their projectiles, but games with more restrictive rules are within the concept of this invention. The round ends when both teams have exhausted their supply of projectiles. Alternatively, the round can end after a specified time period. A game can consist of one or more rounds. The winner of the round is the team that has hit the opponents target with the most projectiles.

The projectiles and targets are selected to correspond with each other, i.e., a basket is an appropriate target for ball projectiles, a disc golf target is appropriate for flying discs, a bullseye is appropriate for fired projectiles (such as from a dart gun or Nerf® gun) or thrown balls. Other factors relevant to the selection of the projectile/target are the age/skill level of the participants, the size of the area for maneuvering and safety. For example, throwing flying discs accurately requires more skill than throwing a ball and may not be suitable for teams with young children. Likewise, a large maneuvering area may be more suitable for longer range projectiles, such as flying discs or fired projectiles, than a small or indoor area, which may require short range projectiles such as thrown balls. Additionally, because the target is attached to the same vehicle that the riders are on, the safety of the riders is important. Therefore, hard or fast moving projectiles may be inappropriate unless the riders have safety equipment (such as helmets).

The non-motorized vehicle may be any suitable multi-person wheeled vehicle, such as cycles, scooters, carts and the like. In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle is a multi-person cycle. More preferably, the vehicle is a 2, 5 or 7 person cycle as described in U.S. Pat. No. D592,558; D590,747; and D520,913, respectively. The disclosure of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Most preferably, the vehicle is the 7 person cycle, which is commercially available as the ConferenceBike (CoBi) at http//conferencebike.com.

As shown in FIG. 1, a non-motorized vehicle 1 (exemplified by a 7 person cycle) has multiple seats 3, one for each rider. Each seat 3 is adjustable in height to accommodate riders ranging from children to large adults. Associated with each seat 3 is a pedal system 5 as in normal bicycles, which allows each rider to contribute to pedaling the vehicle 1. The cycles mentioned above have transmissions that combine the pedaling from each assembly 5 to a single force propelling vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 has a steering wheel 7 associated with a single seat 3, thereby allowing one person to control the direction of the vehicle 1.

Attached to each vehicle 1 is a target assembly 9. Typically, target assembly 9 comprises a target 11 attached to the distal end of a mast 13. Target 11 can be any suitable aiming goal, such as a bullseye, a basket (as shown), a net, a disc golf goal (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,551, incorporated herein by reference) or the like. The proximate end of mast 13 is attached to vehicle 1. Preferably, either or both ends of the mast 13 are attached via a mounting bracket or the like to allow for easy disassembly to facilitate changing targets or for transporting vehicle 1 to different locations. A convenient mounting bracket is a tube having a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the mast. The tube is open on at least one end to allow mast 13 to be inserted into the tube. A set screw, locking pin or the like can be used to prevent the mast from rotating inside the tube.

EXAMPLE

A large family reunion desires a competitive activity that includes all age groups. The extended family divides into teams representing each branch of the family, with each of the teams including young children, teens and adults. They participate in a round-robin two-team match tournament playing a basketball-type game on seven-person cycles. On top of each cycle is a basket as the target, and each cycle is equipped with a supply of 4″ foam balls. During each match, each team maneuvers their cycle and attempts to score points by shooting balls into the other team's basket. Teams must co-operate, since everyone is pedaling to maneuver their bike for the best angle to shoot. Each match is won by scoring more points than your opponent. The round-robin tournament is won by winning the most matches. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of competing, the method comprising: Mounting a first non-motorized vehicle with a first team of players, wherein the first vehicle comprises a first target; Mounting a second non-motorized vehicle with a second team of players, wherein the second vehicle comprises a second target; Propelling and maneuvering the first vehicle by means of physical actions of the first team and simultaneously propelling and maneuvering the second vehicle by means of physical actions of the second team; Propelling projectiles by the first team towards the second target; Propelling projectiles by the second team towards the first target; Determining the number of projectiles that hit each target.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle is a multiple-person cycle.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cycle is a seven person cycle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicles are propelled by means of pedals.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one target comprises a net.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the projectiles are balls or discs.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the projectiles are propelled by throwing.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein each team is selected based at least partially on a criterion of increasing interactions among members of a group.
 9. A method of competing between at least two teams of players, the method comprising: Each team mounting a separate non-motorized vehicle, wherein each vehicle comprises a target; Simultaneously propelling and maneuvering the each vehicle by means of physical actions of the respective team; Propelling projectiles by the each team towards the target on a different team's vehicle; and, Determining the number of projectiles that hit each target.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least three teams compete simultaneously. 